Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Norway and the Government of Australia relating to Working Holiday

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY AND THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA,

In a spirit of promoting closer co-operation between the Kingdom of Norway (hereafter Norway) and Australia;

Desirious of providing wider opportunities for citizens, particularly the youth of Norway and Australia, to appreciate the culture and general way of life of the other for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding between the respective countries;

Wishing to provide reciprocal arrangements in relation to working holidays which are intended to make it possible for nationals of Norway to enter Australia, and for citizens of Australia to enter Norway, primarily for a holiday for an extended period and also to engage in employment as an incidental aspect of that holiday in order to supplement their travel funds;

Have reached the following understandings:

1.

GENERAL

This Memorandum of Understanding expresses the understandings and intentions of the Government of Norway and the Government of Australia (hereinafter referred to as « the Parties ») in relation to the grant of working holiday visas from 1 July 2001.

2.

TERMS OF ISSUE OF VISAS

a)

From 1 July 2001, each Party will issue a multiple entry visa valid for a working holiday for a period of twelve (12) months to persons who satisfy each of the following requirements:

(i)

are Norwegian citizens who have applied for visas to Australia or Australian citizens who have applied for visas to Norway;

(ii)

intend primarily to holiday in Norway or Australia, as the case may be, for a specified period;

(iii)

are aged between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years inclusive at the time of application for the visa;

(iv)

are persons who are not accompanied by dependent children;

(v)

have not previously taken part in the working holiday scheme;

(vi)

possess a valid passport and a return travel ticket or sufficient funds with which to purchase such a ticket;

(vii)

possess reasonable funds for their maintenance during the period of initial stay in Norway or Australia as the case may be; and

(viii)

have good health and a sound background.

b)

Applications for working holiday visas as referred to in paragraph 2(a) may be lodged from any overseas country, and applicants will be interviewed when necessary by representatives of the mission to which application is made, to determine their eligibility.

c)

Applicants will not be refused a visa solely on the grounds of their lack of the English language (in the case of Norwegian applicants for an Australian visa) or their lack of the Norwegian language (in the case of Australian applicants for a Norwegian visa).

d)

Each Party will grant to holders of the visas as referred to in paragraph 2(a) permission to stay in Norway or Australia as the case may be for a period of up to twelve (12) months.

e)

Persons who have entered Norway or Australia on a working holiday visa will be required to comply with the respective laws and regulations of Norway and Australia and not to engage in employment that is contrary to the purpose of the working holiday arrangements. The holders of working holiday visas will not engage in any studies or training for more than 3 months.

f)

The Government of Norway will encourage youth, cultural and community organisations in Norway, and the Government of Australia will encourage youth, cultural and community organisations in Australia, to provide appropriate counselling facilities for Australian citizens and Norwegian citizens respectively who have entered Norway or Australia as the case may be on working holiday visas.

3.

SUSPENSION

Subject to paragraph 5.2, either Party may temporarily suspend the foregoing provisions in whole or in part for reasons of public policy. Any such suspension will be notified immediately to the other Party through the diplomatic channel.

4.

AMENDMENT

Amendments to this Memorandum may be made at any time by a written arrangement between the Parties.

5.

COMMENCEMENT AND DURATION

5.1

This Memorandum will take effect from the date of its signature and will continue in effect until terminated by either Party by three months written notice to the other Party.

5.2

Notwithstanding any termination or any suspension of this Memorandum or of any provisions of this Memorandum, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, any person who at the date of such termination or suspension already holds a valid working holiday visa shall be permitted to enter and/or remain in such country and to work in accordance with such visa until such visa expires.

Signed in duplicate at Stockholm on the 23 day of April 2001 in the Norwegian and the English languages, both texts being equally authentic.